diff --git a/core/cat/routes/embedder.py b/core/cat/routes/embedder.py
index 2300ce53..4b4cfee9 100644
--- a/core/cat/routes/embedder.py
+++ b/core/cat/routes/embedder.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 from cat.factory.embedder import EMBEDDER_SCHEMAS, SUPPORTED_EMDEDDING_MODELS
 from cat.db import crud, models
 from cat.log import log
+from cat import utils
 
 router = APIRouter()
 
@@ -150,7 +151,7 @@ def upsert_embedder_setting(
         raise HTTPException(
             status_code=400,
             detail={
-                "error": str(e)
+                "error": utils.explicit_error_message(e)
             }
         )
     # recreate tools embeddings
diff --git a/core/cat/routes/llm.py b/core/cat/routes/llm.py
index 58ac3f8d..45718833 100644
--- a/core/cat/routes/llm.py
+++ b/core/cat/routes/llm.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 from cat.factory.llm import LLM_SCHEMAS
 from cat.db import crud, models
 from cat.log import log
+from cat import utils
 
 router = APIRouter()
 
@@ -129,7 +130,7 @@ def upsert_llm_setting(
         raise HTTPException(
             status_code=400,
             detail={
-                "error": str(e)
+                "error": utils.explicit_error_message(e)
             }
         )
     # recreate tools embeddings
diff --git a/core/cat/routes/websocket.py b/core/cat/routes/websocket.py
index 76f75b90..e6c26a23 100644
--- a/core/cat/routes/websocket.py
+++ b/core/cat/routes/websocket.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 
 from cat.looking_glass.stray_cat import StrayCat
 from cat.log import log
+from cat import utils
 
 router = APIRouter()
 
@@ -79,10 +80,14 @@ async def websocket_endpoint(websocket: WebSocket, user_id: str = "user"):
         # Log any unexpected errors and send an error message back to the user.
         log.error(e)
         traceback.print_exc()
+
         await websocket.send_json({
             "type": "error",
             "name": type(e).__name__,
-            "description": str(e)
+            "description": utils.explicit_error_message(e)
         })
     # finally:
     #     del strays[user_id]
+
+
+
diff --git a/core/cat/utils.py b/core/cat/utils.py
index 94a8f821..2886b7d6 100644
--- a/core/cat/utils.py
+++ b/core/cat/utils.py
@@ -100,6 +100,18 @@ def get_static_path():
     return os.path.join(get_base_path(), "static/")
 
 
+def explicit_error_message(e):
+    # add more explicit info on "RateLimitError" by OpenAI, 'cause people can't get it
+    error_description = str(e)
+    if "billing details" in error_description:
+        # happens both when there are no credits or the key is not active
+        error_description = """Your OpenAI key is not active or you did not add a payment method.
+You need a credit card - and money in it - to use OpenAI api.
+HOW TO FIX: go to your OpenAI accont and add a credit card"""
+
+    return error_description
+
+
 # This is our masterwork during tea time
 class singleton: